Grant County Sheriff Owen Appointed New County Administrator

Northeast Radio SD News - Milbank, SD - Grant County Sheriff Kevin Owen is set to conclude his 15-year tenure in law enforcement at the end of December, transitioning immediately into a key administrative role for the county.

The Grant County Commissioners recently selected Owen to serve as the new County Administrator and Commissioner Assistant, effective January 1, 2026. Owen was chosen from a pool of nine applicants and will replace Karen Layher, who is scheduled to retire on March 30.

Owen first took office as Sheriff in January 2011, following previous experience as a South Dakota Highway Patrol officer and time served within the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

“I have appreciated the opportunity to serve Grant County and its citizens as their sheriff for the last 15 years. I look forward to continuing to serve in a different capacity,” Owen stated regarding his career change.

Next Steps for the Sheriff’s Office

The Grant County Commissioners are scheduled to address the resulting vacancy during their regular meeting on December 16. During this session, the Commissioners plan to appoint an interim sheriff to fulfill the remainder of Owen’s current term.

The position of Grant County Sheriff is an elected one, and the office will appear on the ballot during the November 2026 election. Petitions for candidates interested in running for the office will be made available after January 1.

This article was compiled from reports by The Valley Express.